SafeDriverLong

Driving Skills Can Change

 

Driving a car is a complex task that requires intact perception, good judgement, adequate response time and reasonable physical capacity.

Unfortunately, many medical conditions and some treatments can result in impairment of these functions and therefore the ability to drive safely.  Even the best of drivers with excellent driving records can become unsafe due to these conditions or age related changes. Some of the changes that commonly occur as part of normal aging include the following:

 

 

Slower Reaction Times & Other Mental Changes

We know that as we age our thinking and perception can change.  It is imporatnt to be aware of these changes as they can have a significant impact on our ability to be  aware of and respond to potential hazards on the road.  Some of the changes that seniors may experience include:

Reduced reaction times.

Reduction in our ability to judge the speed and distance of moving objects.

  • A tendency to find it more difficult to remain focused for long periods.

  • Becoming fatigued more quickly / reduced endurance

Reduced ability to respond quickly to complex situations with many things happening at once.


When driving on the road this may mean that we:

Can misjudge the time available for turning across traffic (right hand turns).

Complex traffic situations can be confusing, especially at higher speeds.

We tire more easily – especially on longer journeys.

We can find tight corners and some roundabouts hard to navigate.


It’s important to make allowances for thinking and perception changes. Allow extra time for turning. Avoid complex and confusing traffic situations; even if that means sometimes taking a longer route. There is also significant evidence that we can keep our minds sharp by engaging in mental activity. Study, puzzles or any activity that causes us to think through problems and tasks can be beneficial.


Deteriorating Eyesight

Most people experience a deterioration in their vision as they age.

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Near Sighted

Often makes it more difficult to concentrate while driving & can increase fatigue & headaches. Ensure that your glasses prescription is up-to-date.

 

 

Far Sighted2

Often makes it difficult to distinguish road signs & to gauge oncoming traffic or perceive the movement of other vehicles.  Most near sighted people will need to wear prescription glasses while driving. Ensure that your prescription is up-to-date.

 

 

 

Cataracts1

The presence of a cataract will result in blurring of your vision making it harder to see traffic and to predict the speeds of on-coming vehicles.

This can be a serious problem and, if not treated, can potentially result in loss of vision altogether. Seek help from your doctor or optometrist and take their advice about driving.

 

 

Tunnel Vision3

Peripheral vision reduces as we age. This makes it harder to see vehicles or movement off to the sides (towards our left or right)

This can be a serious problem & you will need to consult a professional for help. If you know you have decreased peripheral vision, ensure that you deliberately look to the left and right at each intersection or roundabout.


Reduced Contrast Sensitivity

Can impede our ability to see road dividers, some painted road signs, in shady areas, at dusk or at night.  Be extra careful about looking for on-road signs and directions. Be aware of the likely impact of reduced light conditions or rain.


Bright Light Sensitivity

Glare is a problem for all drivers, but if our eyes become more sensitive to bright lights, then we are more likely to be blinded by the headlights of other vehicles or glare.  Good quality sunglasses can help with glare, but ensure that they do not impair your sight in darker areas.  If you have prescription glasses, then consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist about suitable glare reduction.

 

 

Deteriorating Hearing

After the age of 25 our hearing starts to deteriorate.  Often this deterioration goes unnoticed by the individual.  This can affect our driving safety for example, we may be less likely to hear other vehicles approaching, are less aware of emergency vehicles until they are upon us.

If you have concerns about your hearing ensure that you have it checked.  If you know that it has deteriorated, adjust for the deterioration by scanning more carefully & reducing other noises in the vehicle (eg. radio). If you have a hearing aid, ensure that it is in place and switched on whilst driving.

Reduced Muscle Strength

  • As we age we lose muscle and bone mass.  Reduced muscle strength can make us less able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.  Senior drivers are also more vulnerable to crashes because of their increased frailty & are therefore more likely to be seriously injured or die in a crash than younger drivers.

  • Participating in regular, weight bearing exercise can help to maintain bone & muscle strength.  Some centres run special exercise classes for seniors.

 

Reduced Flexibility

As we age we often become more restricted in the degree of movement of our joints and lose elasticity in our muscles and other soft tissues.   This results in an increase in the stiffness of our bodies. This can affect our ability to drive in many ways such as being unable to turn our necks adequately to check our blind spots or to reverse safely or having difficulty with changing gears or using the brakes.

Fortunately, most of us are able to maintain our flexibility if remain active & exercise regularly.   Stretchs are a good way to maintain your flexibility. 

 

If you or your family have concerns about how your medical conditions are affecting your ability to drive, speak to your health care professional about referring you for a driving assessment.